One of my favorite parks on Washington’s Bainbridge Island, Battle Point Park is a great place to play for kids of all ages. Encompassing 90.3 acres, the park includes miles of paved paths, two ponds, a large kid’s playground, athletic fields and courts, an equestrian area, and a community garden.

Located about five and a half miles northwest of Winslow, on the western edge of the island near Manzanita Bay, Battle Point Park is named for a 19^th century battle between native tribes. During our recent stay on Bainbridge, my husband Erik, our two-year-old son, and I spent a couple of hours one morning romping around the park. We were also joined by my husband’s aunt and her two grandsons, ages four and six.

When you arrive at the park, you’ll notice that there two main entrances. Both have large parking areas and easy access to the trails. One of the main entrances is off of Battle Point Dr NE, right near the soccer fields, while the other is on Arrow Point Dr NE and closest to the kid’s playground.

Right after we arrived, the boys dashed to the playground. Opened in 2001, the playground is a cool collection of whimsical and artistic play structures and installations, including a large sandbox, murals, swings, and a wooden lighthouse. We all had a great time zooming down the slides, climbing the lighthouse, and digging up rocks with a large metal scoop.

After we were done at the playground, we took the boys for a walk around the park. As we meandered through a large grassy area, we were delighted to watch as a half-dozen swallows swirled around us, scooping up the insects that were kicked up by our feet. When the boys were ready, we hopped in our car and headed back for a hearty lunch.